Elephant foot yam (ol kochu) is being grown commercially in Kurigram, and farmers are turning to it because it costs little and pays well. It is a highly nutritious tuberous herb, used as a diet for certain illnesses, and it is in good demand in the market because it is eaten as a vegetable.

According to the Kurigram Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), elephant foot yam has been grown on 8 hectares in the district this year. It is also grown here and there in homesteads and on unused land, for which no target has been set.

Abul Kashem, a grower from Kanthalbari village in Sadar upazila, said there is no trouble in growing it. It grows easily on relatively high, shaded, damp land, needs no extra fertiliser or pesticide, and gives a harvest six to seven months after planting.

One plant gives 7 to 8 kg of yam, he said, and it is selling in the market at Tk 25 to Tk 30 a kg. He used to grow potatoes on this land but now grows yam, because potatoes rot if they are not lifted within a set time, while yam does not spoil.

He added that he was inspired after seeing the crop in Bogura and started with 20 seedlings. After a good harvest, he has planted 20 decimals this year. His cost up to harvest will be Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000, and that land should give 80 to 100 maunds. Yam is currently selling at Tk 40 to Tk 50 a kg, he said, and he hopes to make Tk 1 lakh after costs.

Abul Hossain, a farmer from Kazipara village in Chinai union of Rajarhat upazila, said he has grown yam on 10 decimals. It yields well on sunny, high land, the plant has few diseases, and both labour and cost are low. He hopes to profit and said he will grow it on more land in future.

Kurigram DAE director Md Shamsuddin Mia said elephant foot yam costs little and pays well, and needs no extra fertiliser or pesticide. Demand for it is growing day by day, and the agriculture department is giving full support to its commercial cultivation.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.